At the Trough. Round 2.
The Easter extravaganza provided plenty for the punters with some standout performances, a few epic battles and more than the occasional blowout. The quality of football continues to astound but unfortunately, so does the gulf between the elite sides and the battlers. This week we’ll take a look top five highlights and lowlights of the round that was.
Top Dollar!
5. The Hanger is back: With the way sides are implementing the press having everyone push further up the ground it has made the long kick a preferred option of many to try and break the zone. If the kick has the desired penetration then the last line of the press becomes a step ladder for the lads with springs. Noted flyer Jeremy Howe took another screamer on the weekend but even those not noted for their aerial skills are getting in on the act with Eddie Betts pulling down a couple of rippers and even Gary Ablett went for a ride. Thrilling stuff!
4. Josh P Kennedy: I wish this lad was still at the Hawks where he belongs. Kennedy has come of age over the last couple of seasons but through the first two rounds this year has proven to be in the top bracket of players in the game. Averaging 31.5 touches with 19 of those contested, 4 tackles, 9 clearances and a goal he’s shown himself to be elite. Should have 6 votes in the Brownlow if the umpires are fair dinkum.
3. The Bump: Much like the hanger, the hip and shoulder is one of the things that makes our game what it is. A lot of people are calling for the shirt front to be banned but I personally feel that it is pivotal to the contest. It’s a tough sport and the lads go in hard so there is bound to be some collateral damage from time to time. The AFL want to prevent collision injuries but being a contact sport they are inevitable and a by product of the contest. Beau Waters bump on Jack Grimes was a corker, right down the middle. Blatant head high bumps should be discouraged but incidental contact caused by a bump is part of the game. We don’t want the lads wearing bibs.
2. The Eagles: They are genuine contenders. They have it all. Glass is the best fullback in the game. McKenzie and Schofield are rarely beaten. Hurn is solid and kicks it a mile. Cox and Nic Nat are the best ruck/forward duo in the game. Priddis is a jet and Shuey, Masten, Selwood and Gaff are emerging. Even without Le Cras they have Darling, Lynch and Kennedy with Josh Hill (often maligned for his lack of effort, made 10 tackles on the weekend.) filling the small role. There aren’t too many holes there. If they can break even on the road they’ll finish top four.
1. Every Cent: So much has been made of the multi million dollar deals being paid to players at the expansion clubs. Some of it is justified and some not so much. One thing for certain is that Gary Ablett is worth every cent of his $1.4 M pay packet. Playing in an inexperienced side with so much expectation on him to perform he has proven yet again that he is the best player in the game. In a team that has been severely beaten he has managed to average 41 touches with 18 contested, 4 tackles, 8 clearances and 2 goals. The fact he is the Brownlow favorite in a team not expected to notch five wins for the year says it all. The man is a freak.
Shithouse!
1. Ryan Shoenmakers: When teams experience disappointing losses it’s easy to point the finger. That being said, Ryan Shoenmakers is a gimp. I won’t go so far as to say he is the worst player I’ve seen but boy he’s up there. Hawkins and J Pod kicked 8 between them and seven were kicked whilst he was their direct opponent. He is not quick enough to play as a running defender. Doesn’t have the skills to be a distributer and doesn’t have the size to post up. He drops uncontested marks, misses targets and falls off tackles. Hawthorn can not win the flag whilst he is in the team.
2. EnergyWatch: Ben Polis is your typical millionaire fuckwit. With more money than sense, sitting on top of the world, spruiking about how he parties with celebrities, a real big shot. Throwing cash at sporting clubs to buy his way into the inner sanctum and then blowing it all up by carrying on like a spoilt child. At what point did this clown think making racist comments on Facebook was good for business. Pretty much everyone was in bed with him is running for the door and if there is any justice he’ll be serving Davey’s kids fries on their way to a ski trip. What a wanker.
3. Walkovers: We’ve got to give the new kids a chance to grow and there will always be some teething problems but the AFL can’t afford to have too many one sided matches whilst trying to grow the game. The gulf between the best sides and the rest is widening and sides like Melbourne, who’ve had their chances to re-build, are in for a lot of pain if they can’t figure something out sharpish. The contested nature of the game demands that both sides have opportunities but unfortunately some teams seem to turn up toes pretty quickly.
4. Consistency: The umpires have a tough job to do and they deserve some credit but if the first two rounds of this year sets the standard it’s going to be a long year. Unfortunately there is plenty of ambiguity in our game and many decisions are not cut and dried but please, please, be consistent. Apparently there are now different interpretations of the rules in different areas of the ground. Surely an arm chop is the same on the wing as it is in the goal square. Incorrect disposal only seems to apply when trying to clear the ball from the defensive 50. Throwing is rampant. We don’t want 25 free kicks per quarter but if it’s there it has to be paid. Sort it out Mr Gieschan. PS. Can I please have Chelsea Roffey’s phone number?
5. Dustin Martin: The lad has a wealth of talent and comparisons to Leigh Matthews have already been made but Dustin really struggles with the defensive side of the game. Unless he is going to play out of the goal square he needs to improve his defensive work rate and needs to use some of his strength to lay a few tackles instead of just trying to break them. Richmond desperately needs Martin to realize his potential but the effort must come from within.
